Release mechanism

ABSTRACT

A release mechanism generates a force on a cable to operate an adjustment mechanism or the like in a seat or other device. The release mechanism includes a rotor, a housing, a spring, and a cover that attaches to the housing. The spring generates a torque, and the spring also axially biases the rotor into engagement with the cover to prevent rattling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/226,663, filed on Aug. 2, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,675,997,entitled “METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A RELEASE MECHANISM,” which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/183,038, filed Feb.18, 2014, now abandoned, entitled “RELEASE MECHANISM.” U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/183,038 is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/315,797, filed Dec. 9, 2011, and entitled “RELEASEMECHANISM,” now abandoned. The entire disclosures of each of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Seats for motor vehicles and the like may include one or more adjustmentfeatures such as a seat back tilt mechanism that selectively retains theseat back in a position selected by a user. The seat may includeadditional adjustment features such as fore-aft sliding of the seatrelative to the vehicle floor, and other such adjustment features.Various types of mechanisms have been developed to retain the seatcomponents in a desired position. Such mechanisms may be actuated by acable that is connected to a manually-operated release mechanism by anelongated cable. Also, elongated cables may be utilized to operablyinterconnect a lever or other release member located inside a vehicle toa component such as a hood release latch. Various mechanisms for manualuser input have been developed. However, known mechanisms may sufferfrom various drawbacks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a release mechanism of the typeutilized to shift an elongated connector to selectively release anadjustment mechanism. The release mechanism includes a housing defininga pivot element, and a rotor disposed within the housing and pivotablyengaging the pivot element for rotation about an axis. The rotor isadapted to be manually rotated by a user, and the rotor includes aconnecting feature that provides for connecting an end of an elongatedflexible cable to the rotor, such that rotation of the rotor shifts theelongated flexible cable. The release mechanism also includes a helicalcoil spring having a first end connected to the housing, and a secondend connected to the rotor. The coil spring is rotationally deformed torotationally bias the rotor for rotation in a first direction about theaxis, and the coil spring is also compressed, and biases the rotoraxially away from the housing along the axis.

The housing may include a separate cover that snaps onto a main portionof the housing during assembly. The housing and rotor can be utilized ineither a “left hand” or “right hand” orientation. The housing and rotormay be symmetrical about a center plane, and the direction of therotational bias of the rotor can be changed by selecting a helical coilthat generates either a clockwise or counter clockwise torque on therotor. Also, the housing may include connecting features whereby a cablecan be interconnected to the housing of the release mechanism at eitherof two opposite side faces of the housing.

The release mechanism may include a rotation-limiting feature such as aboss on the rotor and corresponding arcuate slot on the housing to limitrotation of the rotor relative to the housing. During assembly, therotor is rotated against the spring bias relative to the main portion ofthe housing, and the rotor is shifted axially to move the boss into thearcuate slot. Friction between the boss and a side surface of thearcuate slot prevents shifting of the rotor that could otherwise occurdue to the axial bias of the helical coil spring.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentinvention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled inthe art by reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially fragmentary side elevational view of a motorvehicle seat or the like including an adjustment mechanism and a releasemechanism that is interconnected to the adjustment mechanism by anelongated cable;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a release mechanism according to one aspectof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the release mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the release mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is an exploded isometric view of the release mechanism of FIG. 2showing the spring in an uncompressed state;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded isometric view of the release mechanismof FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partially fragmentary enlarged, isometric view of a portionof a release mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partially fragmentary, enlarged isometric view of a portionof a rotor of a release mechanism according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 shows a coil spring according to one aspect of the presentinvention in an uncompressed state;

FIG. 9 shows the spring of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an end view of the spring of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a portion of the spring ofFIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

With reference to FIG. 1, a seat assembly 1 includes a seat portion 2and a back portion 3 that is pivotally interconnected to the seatportion for fore-aft tilting movement as indicated by the arrow “A.” Areleasable adjustment mechanism 4 selectively retains the back portion 3at various positions B, B1, B2 etc. An adjustment mechanism 4 may bepositioned on both the left and right sides of the seat 1. A supportstructure 5 interconnects the seat assembly 1 with a vehicle floor 6.The support structure 5 may include slides or the like (not shown) thatpermit movement of the seat assembly 1 in a fore-aft direction relativeto the floor 6 of a vehicle as indicated by the arrow “C.” The seatportion 2, back portion 3, adjustment mechanism 4, and support structure5 may comprise conventional, known components such that these parts willnot be described in detail herein.

A release mechanism 10 is operably interconnected to the adjustmentmechanism 4 by an elongated cable 11. The release mechanism 10 includesa movable input member such as a handle 12 that is movable as indicatedby the arrow “R” by a user to selectively release adjustment mechanism 4to permit tilting of the seat back 3.

With further reference to FIGS. 2-4 and 4A, mechanism 10 includes ahousing 13 having a first portion 14 and a retainer or second portion(component) or cover 16 that together form an interior space 18. Whenassembled, a rotor 20 is rotatably interconnected with a pivot elementsuch as boss or protrusion 22 of the first portion 14 for rotation aboutan axis “A1” (FIG. 4). As discussed in more detail below, a spring 25includes a first end 26 that is interconnected to the first portion 14,and a second end 28 that is interconnected with rotor 20 to rotationallybias the rotor 20 relative to the first portion 14 for rotation about anaxis “A1.” Rotor 20 includes an arm 34 having an end portion 36 thatincludes first and second connecting features 30A and 30B (cavities)that interconnect with a fitting 32 of cable 11 whereby rotation ofrotor 20 longitudinally shifts the cable 11 and releases adjustmentmechanism 4. The arm 34 is substantially symmetrical such that eitherconnecting feature 30A or connecting feature 30B can be utilized toconnect with a cable end fitting 32. In the illustrated example, the endfitting 32 is received in connector 30A to thereby pull on cable 11 uponrotation of rotor 20 in the direction of the arrow “R1.” An end portion11A of cable 11 wraps around curved end surface 37 of arm 34. Endsurface 37 may include a relatively flat central portion 37A having areduced radius about axis A1 to provide increased force on cable 11 asit wraps around central portion 37A. Cable end fitting 32 may bereceived in connecting feature 30B such that rotation of rotor 20 in adirection opposite the arrow “R1” pulls on cable 11 to actuateadjustment mechanism 4. The direction of rotational bias provided byspring 25 may be reversed if connecting feature 30B is utilized tothereby provide the proper rotational bias for a particular application.A bushing or fitting 38 includes an annular groove 39 that engages aselected one of the openings 40A-40D of sidewall 41A or 41B of the firstportion 14 to slidably support cable 11 where it enters the firstportion 14.

Rotor 20 includes a generally cylindrical extension 42 having aplurality of teeth or splines 44 that engage corresponding teeth orsplines 46 on an interior portion of extension 47 of handle 12 in aknown manner to interconnect rotor 20 and handle 12. A pair oftransverse slots 48 receive a clip or other retainer (not shown) toretain handle 12 to rotor 20 in a conventional manner.

The first portion 14 includes a plurality of wedges 52 that protrudefrom sidewalls 41C, 41D, and 41E. Wedges 52 are received in openings 53formed in transverse flaps or extensions 54 (see also FIGS. 2 and 3).The wedges 52 and corresponding connectors 53-54 retain cover 16 on thefirst portion 14 prior to installation of the release mechanism 10 on aseat assembly 1. Threaded fasteners 56 (FIG. 3) are received in openings57 in the first portion 14 and cover 16 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and engagethreaded openings in the seat structure to secure the release mechanism10 to the seat assembly 1. Fasteners 56 also ensure that the firstportion 14 and cover 16 remain assembled together when mechanism 10 isattached to the seat assembly 1.

With further reference to FIG. 5, arm 34 of rotor 20 includescylindrical extension 64. The first portion 14 includes a ridge orsidewall 60 that protrudes from inner surface 58 of sidewall 59 of thefirst portion 14. When assembled, extension 64 is received in arcuateslot 62, and spring 25 rotatably biases extension 64 towards end surface66 or end surface 68 of arcuate slot 62. Spring 25 may be configured torotatably bias rotor 20 in a first direction R1, or a second directionthat is opposite R1, depending upon which direction handle 12 isrequired to rotate when release mechanism 10 is installed on a seat orother structure. For example, in FIG. 1 mechanism 10 is mounted on aleft side of a seat 2, and handle 12 rotates upwardly when the handle 12is pulled by a user. However, mechanism 10 may also be installed on aseat at a lower right side edge whereby the mechanism 10 is rotated 180degrees about a horizontal axis relative to the orientation shown inFIG. 1. If mechanism 10 is configured for use on a right side edge of aseat, the spring 25 is configured to provide a bias in the oppositerotational direction, and cable 11 will be configured to extend out ofan opposite sidewall of the first portion 14. Because the mechanism 10is substantially symmetrical (other than spring 25) about a center plane“P” (FIG. 2) cable 11 is oriented in either the configuration shown inFIG. 2 in solid lines, or in the configuration shown in dashed lines 11Aas also shown in FIG. 2.

With further reference to FIG. 6, the first portion 14 includes anannular wall 70 protruding from inner side surface 58 of sidewall 59 ofthe first portion 14. An inner side of sidewall 70 includes a pluralityof raised portions or pads 72 having cylindrical end surface portions73. A ring-like annular space 76 is formed between boss 22 andcylindrical sidewall 70. A plurality of protrusions 74 project intoannular space 76 from sidewall 59. A plurality of grooves 77 are formedbetween protrusions 74. Grooves 77 extend radially away from boss 22.When assembled, end 26 (see also FIG. 5) of spring 25 is received in aselected one of the grooves 77 to thereby rotationally retain the spring25 relative to the first portion 14.

The protrusions 74 also define convex cylindrical outer surfaces 78 thatface the concave cylindrical surfaces 73 of pads 72 of cylindricalsidewall 70. When assembled, the space between surfaces 73 and 78receives end portion 80 (FIG. 7) of rotor 20. End portion 80 of rotor 20includes a cylindrical inner side surface 81 that defines a cylindricalcavity or space 83. End portion 80 also includes a cylindrical outersurface 82. When mechanism 10 is assembled, end 28 (see also FIG. 4) ofspring 25 is received in a selected one of a plurality of openings 85 ininner base surface 84 of cavity 83. An opening 86 in rotor 20 has ahexagonal shape to receive a hexagonal tool (not shown) during assemblyof rotor 20 and the first portion 14 to control the rotational positionof rotor 20 relative to the first portion 14.

During assembly, end 26 of spring 25 (FIGS. 4 and 4A) is positioned in aselected slot 77 (FIG. 6) of the first portion 14, with a portion ofspring 25 being disposed between cylindrical sidewall 70 and boss 22 ofthe first portion 14. Spring 25 is initially in an uncompressed or“free” state wherein the individual coils of spring 25 are spaced apartas shown in FIGS. 4A, 8 and 9. Rotor 20 is then moved to a positionadjacent the first portion 14, such that end 28 of spring 25 is receivedin a selected one of the openings 85 of rotor 20. Rotor 20 is thenrotated relative to the first portion 14 using a hexagonal tool (notshown), such that spring 25 generates a torsional bias or force betweenthe first portion 14 and rotor 20. Rotor 20 is then shifted axiallyalong axis A1 (FIG. 4) to position end portion 80 of rotor 20 on theboss 22 of the first portion 14. End portion 80 of rotor 20 is receivedin the space 76 (FIG. 6) between surfaces 73 of pads 72 and the endsurfaces 78 of protrusions 74. As the rotor 20 is moved into positionrelative to the first portion 14, protrusion 64 (FIG. 5) of rotor 20 ispositioned in arcuate slot 62 of the first portion 14. After theextension 64 is positioned in arcuate slot 62, the torsional forceacting on rotor 20 by the hexagonal tool is removed, and the torsionalforce caused by spring 25 causes extension 64 on arm 34 of rotor 20 tomove into engagement with end 66 (or end 68) of arcuate slot 62. Asrotor 20 is moved into position relative to the first portion 14, spring25 is compressed in addition to being rotationally deformed. This causesspring 25 to generate an axial force tending to push rotor 20 away fromthe first portion 14. However, friction between extension 64 and end 66(or 68) of arcuate slot 62 is sufficient to prevent the axial bias fromshifting rotor 20 relative to the first portion 14. When compressed, thecoils of spring 25 are in contact with one another or directly adjacentone another as shown in FIG. 4.

After the temporary subassembly of the first portion 14 and rotor 20 isformed, bushings 38 are assembled with the first portion 14, and endfitting 32 of cable 11 is positioned in connector 30A or connector 30Bof arm 34 of rotor 20. It will be understood that these operations maybe performed either before rotor 20 is installed in the first portion14, or after rotor 20 is installed in the first portion 14. Cover 16 isthen snapped onto the first portion 14 and retained thereon by wedges 52and openings 53.

Referring back to FIG. 4, After the cover 16 and the first portion 14are assembled, spring 25 shifts rotor 20 towards cover 16 slightly, suchthat annular bearing surface 90 of extension 42 of rotor 20 slidablyengages an annular bearing surface 88 formed around opening 89 of cover16 to prevent axial shifting of the rotor 20 away from the first portion14 beyond a predefined position relative to the first portion 14. Theengagement of bearing surfaces 88 and 90 prevents rattling of rotor 20when installed to a seat, yet permits some variation in the sizing ofthe components.

When assembled, outer surface 82 (FIG. 4) of end 80 of rotor 20 slidablyengages surface 73 (FIG. 6) of the first portion 14, and outer surface92 of extension 42 of rotor 20 slidably engages surfaces or pads 94(FIG. 4) of opening 89 in cover 16.

During assembly, handle 12 is positioned on extension 42 of rotor 20,and a clip or other retainer (not shown) is positioned in engagementwith transverse slots 48 of extension 42 to thereby retain the handle12.

Because the rotor 20 can be temporarily assembled with the first portion14, rotor 20 does not need to be retained in position relative to thefirst portion 14 by a fixture or the like while cover 16 is installed.Thus, assembly of release mechanism 10 is simplified. Also, as discussedabove, the axial bias of spring 25 ensures that the bearing surface 90of rotor 20 remains in sliding engagement with the corresponding bearingsurface 88 of cover 16. The bearing surfaces 88 and 90 may comprise lowfriction materials, such that very little frictional resistance isgenerated. This permits spring 25 to have a relatively low torsionalstiffness to return handle 12 to the rest position.

With further reference to FIGS. 8-11, spring 25 may comprise a helicalcoil spring having a wire diameter of 1.14 mm with 10 coils. The coilsmay have a right hand or left hand wind direction as required to providea right or left hand version of mechanism 10. The spring 25 has a freeor unstressed length “L1” of 28.5 mm. In general, the length L1 may beabout 23.0 mm to about 33.0 mm. However, lengths L1 outside this rangemay also be utilized if required for a particular application. Duringassembly, an axial force “F” is applied to the spring 25 as described inmore detail above. This results in a compression of spring 25 to aninstalled length “L2” of 14.65 mm. Thus, the deflection of spring 25when installed is about 13.85 mm.

The overall length “L3” of spring 25 in an unstressed or free state is34.34 mm as shown in FIG. 8. The inner radius “R” is 1.40 mm, and theouter diameter “θ2” (FIG. 10) is 11.15 mm. The spring 25 may includestraight portions 26A and 28A directly adjacent the ends 26 and 28,respectively. The inner dimension “D1” (FIG. 10) is 8.72 mm, and theoutside diameter “D2” is 11.15 mm. With reference to FIG. 11, the angle“02” is 142.4°. Ends 26 and 28 extend at an angle “θ1” of 90°. Spring 25is preferably made of spring steel or other suitable material such asmusic wire (ASTM A228), and the spring 25 has a maximum solid height of12.65 mm. The specific dimensions given above are an example of onepossible configuration for spring 25. However, the specific dimensions,shapes, materials, and other characteristics of spring 25 may vary asrequired for a particular application. For example, mechanism 10 may beutilized in connection with different types of seats requiring differentforce characteristics to release adjustment mechanism 4 (FIG. 1) orother such mechanism. It will be understood that the specific dimensionsof the mechanism and spring 25 may vary as required, and the releasemechanism 10 of the present application is not limited to any specificapplication.

As discussed above, the installed length L2 of spring 25 is greater thanthe solid height or length of spring 25. Accordingly, when spring 25 isinstalled in mechanism 10 spring 25 is in a compressed state. Whenspring 25 is in the compressed (installed) state, the spacing betweenthe individual coils of spring 25 is reduced, and spring 25 generates abiasing force tending to expand the length of spring 25. As discussedabove, this biasing force insures that bearing surface 90 of rotor 20remains in sliding engagement with corresponding bearing surface 88 ofcover 16.

As also discussed above, mechanism 10 may be assembled by temporarilyassembling rotor 20 with the first portion 14, with friction betweenextensions 64 and end 66 (or end 68) of arcuate slot 62 to generatefriction sufficient to prevent axial bias of spring 25 from shiftingrotor 20 relative to the first portion 14. Alternatively, mechanism 10may also be assembled as follows. First, the first portion 14 may bepositioned in a fixture (not shown) or otherwise retained in a generallyhorizontal orientation with interior space 18 (FIG. 4) facing upwardly.Spring 25 is then positioned over boss 22, and shifted (if required) tocause end 26 of spring 25 to engage one of the grooves 77 (FIG. 6) ofthe first portion 14. The rotor 20 is then positioned on spring 25 suchthat spring 25 is received within cylindrical cavity or space 83 ofrotor 20 (FIGS. 5 and 7), and end 28 of spring 25 is engaged with one ofthe openings 85 (FIG. 7) of rotor 20. The arm 34 of rotor 20 isinitially oriented as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4A. This initialposition is rotated 180° relative to the assembled orientation of arm 34shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4A. The assembled orientation of arm 34 isalso shown in solid lines in FIG. 4. After placing the rotor 20 onto thespring 25, cover 16 is positioned on rotor 20 with extension 42 of rotor20 extending through opening 89 of cover 16. A hex tool (not shown) ispositioned in hex opening 86 (FIG. 7) of rotor 20, and the rotor 20 isthen rotated 180° until it is in the assembled rotational orientation(FIG. 4). Rotor 20 may be rotationally constrained due to engagement ofextension 64 on arm 34 of rotor 20 with end 66 or 68 of arcuate slot 62.Alternatively, rotor 20 may be configured to temporarily engage cover 16to prevent rotation of rotor 20 during the assembly process. After thecover 16 is positioned over rotor 20 and rotor 20 is rotated to itsassembled angular orientation, the first portion 14 and cover 16 arepushed together and interconnected utilizing wedges 52 and openings 53as described in more detail above.

Due to the axial compression (deflection), spring 25 generates about 24N of axial force when assembled. This axial force biases rotor 20 awayfrom the first portion 14, and into engagement with cover 16. Also, whenassembled the rotational deflection or deformation of spring 25 causesthe spring 25 to be preloaded such that it generates a torsional forceof about 250 N-mm. Thus, when assembled spring 25 simultaneouslygenerates a substantial axial biasing force and a substantial torsionalbiasing force.

The axial force/bias acting on rotor 20 ensures that the rotor does notrattle, and substantially eliminates noises from vibrations or the like.Furthermore, spring 25 has a longer length than conventional torsionsprings utilized in prior mechanisms. The longer length allows spring 25to have a lower torsional spring constant, thereby reducing the springbiasing force acting on the handle 12 (FIG. 1) for a given springdisplacement. The total force required by a user in moving (rotating)handle 12 includes force required to overcome the torsion of spring 25and the force required to actuate adjustment mechanism 4. Thus, reducingthe torsional force generated by spring 25 reduces the total force auser must apply to handle 12 to actuate adjustment mechanism 4.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A release mechanism comprising: a housingdefining a pivot element; a rotor at least partially disposed within thehousing and pivotably engaging the pivot element of the housing forrotation about an axis, the rotor including a first bearing surface anda cavity; a cable connected to the rotor whereby rotation of the rotorshifts the cable; a helical coil spring having first and second ends,wherein the first end of the coil spring engages the housing, and thesecond end of the coil spring is positioned in the cavity of the rotorand engages the rotor; wherein the coil spring is deformed such that thehelical coil spring rotationally biases the rotor for rotation in afirst direction about the axis; and wherein the coil spring iscompressed such that the coil spring biases the rotor axially away fromthe housing along the axis and simultaneously rotationally biases therotor for rotation in the first direction about the axis; a componenthaving a second bearing surface connected to the housing; and whereinthe first bearing surface of the rotor movably engages the secondbearing surface of the component and prevents axial shifting of therotor away from the housing beyond a predefined position relative to thehousing.
 2. The release mechanism of claim 1, wherein: the housingincludes a stop surface; and wherein the rotor engages the stop surfaceto limit angular rotation of the rotor relative to the housing.
 3. Therelease mechanism of claim 1, wherein: the pivot element comprises aboss formed on the housing; the rotor rotatably engages the boss forrotation about the axis.
 4. The release mechanism of claim 1, wherein:the component comprises a cover; the second bearing surface comprises anannular surface of the cover; the cover is connected to the housing. 5.A release mechanism comprising: a housing defining a pivot element,wherein the housing includes a sidewall and an annular wall protrudingfrom an inner side surface of the sidewall, the annular wall having aninner surface; a rotor at least partially disposed within the housingand pivotably engaging the pivot element of the housing for rotationabout an axis, the rotor including a first bearing surface and a cavity,and wherein the rotor includes an end portion having an outer surfaceand the outer surface of the rotor slidably engages the inner surface ofthe annular wall of the housing; a cable connected to the rotor wherebyrotation of the rotor shifts the cable; a helical coil spring havingfirst and second ends, wherein the first end of the coil spring engagesthe housing, and the second end of the coil spring is positioned in thecavity of the rotor and engages the rotor; wherein the coil spring isdeformed such that the helical coil spring rotationally biases the rotorfor rotation in a first direction about the axis; and wherein the coilspring is compressed such that the coil spring biases the rotor axiallyaway from the housing along the axis and simultaneously rotationallybiases the rotor for rotation in the first direction about the axis; acomponent having a second bearing surface connected to the housing; andwherein the first bearing surface of the rotor movably engages thesecond bearing surface of the component and prevents axial shifting ofthe rotor away from the housing beyond a predefined position relative tothe housing.
 6. A release mechanism comprising: a housing defining apivot element; a rotor at least partially disposed within the housingand pivotably engaging the pivot element for rotation about an axis,wherein the rotor includes a first bearing surface; a cable connected tothe rotor whereby rotation of the rotor shifts the cable; a helical coilspring having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the coilspring engages the housing, and a second end of the coil spring engagesthe rotor; wherein the helical coil spring rotationally biases the rotorfor rotation in a first direction about the axis; and wherein the coilspring is compressed such that the coil spring biases the rotor axiallyaway from the housing along the axis; a cover connected to the housing,the cover including a second bearing surface; wherein the first bearingsurface of the rotor movably engages the second bearing surface andprevents axial shifting of the rotor away from the housing beyond apredefined position relative to the housing.
 7. The release mechanism ofclaim 6, wherein: the cover includes an opening therethrough; the rotorincludes an extension; and the extension is positioned in the opening.8. The release mechanism of claim 7, wherein: the rotor includes an armextending transverse to the extension, wherein the cable is connected tothe arm whereby rotation of the rotor shifts the cable.
 9. The releasemechanism of claim 8, wherein: at least a portion of the extension ofthe rotor protrudes outside of the cover; and including: a handleconnected to the extension of the rotor.
 10. The release mechanism ofclaim 9, wherein: the extension includes a plurality of splines; thehandle engages the splines.
 11. The release mechanism of claim 9,wherein: the rotor includes an inner end portion having an annular wallforming a cavity and defining an opening to the cavity, the cavityincluding an inner base surface with a plurality of inner openings; thesecond end of the coil spring is received in a selected one of the inneropenings.
 12. A release mechanism comprising: a housing defining a pivotelement comprising a boss and an annular wall extending around the bossto define a ring-shaped annular space therebetween; a rotor having afirst bearing surface and an end portion pivotably received within thering-shaped annular space for rotation about an axis; a cover having asecond bearing surface; a cable connected to the rotor whereby rotationof the rotor shifts the cable; a helical coil spring having first andsecond ends, wherein the first end of the coil spring engages thehousing, and a second end of the coil spring engages the rotor; whereinthe coil spring is rotationally deformed such that the helical coilspring rotationally biases the rotor for rotation in a first directionabout the axis; and wherein the coil spring is compressed such that thecoil spring biases the rotor axially away from the housing along theaxis; and wherein the first bearing surface of the rotor movably engagesthe second bearing surface of the cover to prevent axial shifting of therotor away from the housing beyond a predefined position relative to thehousing.
 13. The release mechanism of claim 12, wherein: the housingincludes a stop surface; the rotor engages the stop surface to therebylimit angular rotation of the rotor relative to the housing.
 14. Therelease mechanism of claim 12, wherein: the end portion of the rotor hasoppositely-facing cylindrical inner and outer surfaces; the housingincludes a sidewall; the annular wall of the housing protrudes from aninner side surface of the sidewall, the annular wall having an innersurface comprising a plurality of raised pads, each having cylindricalend surface portions; and the cylindrical outer surface of the rotorslidably engages the cylindrical end surface portions of the raisedpads.
 15. The release mechanism of claim 12, wherein: the end portion ofthe rotor comprises a first end portion, the rotor including a secondend portion opposite the first end portion, wherein the second endportion comprises a cylindrical extension having a plurality ofoutwardly-protruding splines; the cover includes an opening and thecylindrical extension of the rotor extends through the opening of thecover; and including: a handle attached to the rotor outside the cover,wherein the handle engages the outwardly-protruding splines of therotor.
 16. The release mechanism of claim 15, wherein: the cover issecured to the housing.
 17. The release mechanism of claim 12, wherein:the end portion of the rotor includes a cavity having an opening; thehelical coil spring is disposed at least partially within the cavity ofthe rotor.